Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has indicated that Lionel Messi will eventually make his comeback with Argentina after an extended rest. The Blaugrana forward has personally asked to be excluded from recent call-ups to the national team but Valverde believes the Argentine will return to the country’s mix sooner rather than later.

In a report covered by ESPN FC, Valverde indicated that Messi’s non-involvement with Argentina is only a positive for the club but he does not see this happening in the long-run, he said: “If Messi doesn't go to the national team, he can be more rested for Barcelona. But we know that he wants to go to the national team, and he will go. The best news for Barcelona is, if Messi goes to the national team, that he is happy, and that is what we want to happen. We want him to do well wherever he is, and what he wants is to do many things with the Argentina national team.”

Paris Saint-Germain star Dani Alves has backed former teammate Lionel Messi after he was shockingly omitted from The Best awards shortlist by FIFA. Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modric were named as the nominees for the accolade but Alves believes it is unjust for Messi to be excluded after what he had achieved with Barcelona last term.

Speaking to reporters, Alves indicated that the exclusion was unfair to his former Barcelona teammate and believed that the voting panel were more focused on his international performance rather than considering the club form into regard, he said: “It's unjust that Messi was not nominated for The Best, It's not just that they have only looked at what he has done with Argentina and not what he has done with Barcelona.”

Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken about the importance of Edinson Cavani to the team and does not believe the Uruguayan will leave the club during the ongoing transfer window. Speaking to reporters, Tuchel refuted the ongoing speculation regarding Cavani’s future and expects the marksman to return for the final part of pre-season, he said: “This is my feeling and I have not heard such a thing [that Cavani wants to leave]. I spoke to him and he didn't mention anything. He said he is looking forward to joining us [in pre-season]. He is a key player for us.”

Meanwhile, there has been plenty of gossip associating Tuchel with a reunion with Julian Weigl but the former Borussia Dortmund head coach has dismissed any sort of agreement, he added: “He's agreed with us? No, no, that's not the fact, as far as I know. And I hope I know what is going on! "Of course, there are rumours since I signed here because he was the kind of player that joined with me in Dortmund and had a great career and great development.”

Brighton & Hove Albion’s new signing Bernardo is hoping to catch the eye of Brazilian coach Tite after making the switch to the Premier League. The 23-year-old managed nearly 50 appearances for RB Leipzig without getting recognition from the national team and he is hoping for a change of luck having made the move to the English top-flight.

He said: “It's (Leipzig) a small club but it reached second place in the Bundesliga and I was not even on the radar. I was a player that played many matches, but my name was not even being speculated. Richarlison, from Watford, he is playing for a good club but not in the top six. Everyone is now talking about Richarlison, so the Premier League brings you to another level, because everyone is watching it. "The staff from the national team put on the Premier League. In the Premier League you just have to do your thing, because people are watching you.”

Brazil head coach Tite has revealed that he could not utilise the services of Fred at the World Cup after the midfielder failed to completely recover from an ankle problem. The 25-year-old sustained the damage after a rash tackle from Casemiro leading into the tournament and despite remaining with the squad, he could not garner a single minute on the playing field.

Speaking after the Belgium defeat, Tite confirmed that Fred could not participate at the World Cup after he failed to make a complete recovery from the problem, he said: “Fred had a problem with his injury and failed to make a full recovery. In general and physical terms, the team flew. It was not the physical aspect that was decisive in defeat.”

Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Ander Ter Stegen has sent a classy message to former teammate Dani Alves after the Brazilian was ruled out of the summer World Cup. Alves sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage to his right knee during the Coupe de France final for Paris Saint-Germain and the club have now confirmed that he will be out for the long-term with a surgery required.

As such, a number of current and former players have shown their sympathy towards the Brazil international and Ter Stegen did the same on Twitter, posting: “Not just football will miss you at the @FIFAWorldCup , also your good crazy mood @DaniAlvesD2 ! There’s never a good time to get injured, but keep your head high + positive mind as you always do. You will be back in no time to keep lifting trophies!”

Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves has revealed that he cried only one after it was known that he had suffered a long-term knee injury. The 35-year-old had been dreaming of winning the World Cup with Brazil this summer but unfortunately, he would be playing no part after the doctors confirmed that he would require a surgery to rectify the problem.

In a report on the Players’ Tribune, he said: “I only cried one time, when I was by myself. And let me tell you something — I don’t want anybody to cry for me. I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me. I have lived my dreams.I don’t consider myself a veteran. As you can see, my spirit is about 13 years old. Who knows, maybe when the 2022 World Cup comes around, I will still be competing for a place on the team. My body will be 39, but my spirit will have only turned 17.”

Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves has played down the ongoing speculation linking him with a return to Barcelona during the summer. The 34-year-old recently suggested that Barcelona is his home and this spread speculation of him making a comeback after a couple of years away from the Camp Nou.

However, in an Instagram post, Alves was clear to re-clarify his statement, he penned: “Me going back to Barcelona? Calm down, my friends! I know that you miss me, and that life without 'Good Crazy' is difficult, and that AS, Marca, and Central Lechera also miss me.

Dani Alves has praised compatriot Philippe Coutinho following Brazil’s 3-0 win over Russia in an international friendly. The Barcelona attacker score his ninth goal for the country in the fixture, and following the game, Alves was full of praise for the attacker, whom he compared to close friend and teammate Neymar.

Speaking after the match, Alves said: “I think that Coutinho is a player who is on the same level as Ney, he has a massive influence on our game and in his teams. When he was in Liverpool and now in Barca, he has improved a lot and learned to read the game better, to make the right decisions.That is great to see, to play with such a good footballer who has that ability. There are others who are similar. We are lucky to play with great players and have them on our side is fantastic. We have to get the best out of them and build a solid team.”

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta has responded to the ongoing speculation linking Neymar with a potential move to arch-rivals Real Madrid in the summer. The Brazil international only joined Paris Saint-Germain from Barca on a world-record deal in August, but talks have intensified over his future amid reports of unrest at the French capital.

Speaking ahead of Spain’s international friendly against Germany, Iniesta was quizzed about the Neymar situation to which he replied: “The truth is that the future of Neymar is not something I'm thinking about. Normally, when you leave a place, it's hard to come back, which is why I would be more surprised if Neymar returned to go to another team, but we'll see. If he signed, Madrid would sign one of the best in the world, but we - Barca - will continue with a template that I can better.”